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Jacobs, a Gibson native and former H.L. Bourgeois standout, was playing in the Superdome for the first-time, and the 6-foot-3, 284-pound junior defensive tackle was ready to put on a show in front of his family, friends and supporters.

But Louisville had other ideas.

The Cardinals, who entered the game as 14 1/2-point underdogs, stormed out to an early 14-point first-quarter lead and pulled off a 33-23 upset win over Florida (11-2 overall).

Jacobs said it was special to play in his first-ever college bowl game close to home, but he was disappointed with the loss.

"This is definitely a hard one to swallow," Jacobs said. "I'm not going to say that we thought we were going to win this one, but we were pretty confident about how we prepared all week. We wanted to come out here and play hard and win this game, but unfortunately, it didn't happen."

Despite the loss, Jacobs said he experienced both highs and lows during the game.

The biggest joy for Jacobs was getting a 12-yard sack on Louisville quarterback and Sugar Bowl MVP Teddy Bridgewater during the third quarter, but the downside was suffering a bruised sternum injury shortly after. After stretching on the sidelines for a few moments, he slowly walked to the locker room in the third quarter and didn't return.

Jacobs said the injury was painful, but he was fine after the game. He said he could have returned, but it was his decision to leave the game as a sign of precaution.

"I really wanted to get back in the game, but there comes a time where you realize as a player, you know you can't go," Jacobs said. "You would just be hurting your team, so I felt like I couldn't benefit the team, and that's why I made the decision to tell them I was done."

Florida coach Wil Muschamp said Jacobs was a key component on the Gators' defensive line this season. As a backup defensive tackle/nose guard, Jacobs played in 12 of 13 games for Florida this year, missing only one (vs. Georgia on Oct. 27) with a torn hip muscle.

"Damien is a guy that's played pretty well for us, got his weight back up from an injury earlier in the year," Muschamp said. "He hurt his shoulder earlier in the game. He should be fine."

Jacobs said the loss to Louisville (11-2) will serve as motivation for his senior year next season.

"I've got to step it up and get ready as soon as possible because we don't want that same feeling next year," he said.

While the loss was tough to accept, Jacobs said he enjoyed playing in front of more than 20 family, friends and supporters who made the short drive to New Orleans.

Jacobs and his father, Verlin Jacobs, are long time New Orleans Saints season-ticket holders, so the Gibson native relished the chance to play in the Superdome. Jacobs was the only Louisiana-born player to participate in the Sugar Bowl.

"It was an experience of a lifetime," Jacobs said. "I've been coming to Saints games since I was little. It's just been a blessing to come back to the Superdome and be able to play a football game in front of a lot of family members and close friends. It was pretty fun. I enjoyed it."

Standing outside of the Superdome before Wednesday's game, Verlin Jacobs' face beamed with pride when talking about his son.

"I'm very proud of him," Verlin Jacobs said. "He's a real good kid. He has waited a long time and worked so hard for this, so we are happy to be here. It's good to have him play close to home."

Other members of Jacobs' family who made the trip to New Orleans included his mother, Clara Perkins, and his older brother, Kendric Jacobs.

Earlier this week, Perkins and several members of the family cooked gumbo and other dishes for the Florida players and coaches during their New Orleans stay.

Kendric Jacobs said his family was more than happy to be a part of the Sugar Bowl experience.

"It was good for the area," Kendric Jacobs said. "Everybody back home got to watch it on TV. It gives a lot of young people someone to look up to. This was real great for the family to see him play. It means a lot for Damien to come from a small town like Gibson and to play in the Superdome. Everybody don't get that opportunity."

Former H.L. Bourgeois football coach Joe Riley, who coached Jacobs with the Braves, said he loved watching his old player suit up in the Sugar Bowl.

"That was great to see one of my own in a big game like that," Riley said. "He deserves everything he has garnered and will garner. He's a very humble and down-to-earth kid. He's played an entire season in some of the biggest games in the country. He will gain some more weight in the form of muscle. He'll get quicker and barring an injury, he'll get an opportunity to play at the next level."

Jacobs said he appreciates all the support from local fans all season, whether it was from a phone call or message on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter.

"I just have to thank the whole area for all the support and love they showed me throughout the season, and I know it will continue into next season," he said.

<p>NEW ORLEANS — Damien Jacobs wanted to make it a special homecoming when his Florida Gators played the Louisville Cardinals during Wednesday's Allstate Sugar Bowl game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.</p><p>Jacobs, a Gibson native and former H.L. Bourgeois standout, was playing in the Superdome for the first-time, and the 6-foot-3, 284-pound junior defensive tackle was ready to put on a show in front of his family, friends and supporters. </p><p>But Louisville had other ideas.</p><p>The Cardinals, who entered the game as 14 1/2-point underdogs, stormed out to an early 14-point first-quarter lead and pulled off a 33-23 upset win over Florida (11-2 overall).</p><p>Jacobs said it was special to play in his first-ever college bowl game close to home, but he was disappointed with the loss.</p><p>"This is definitely a hard one to swallow," Jacobs said. "I'm not going to say that we thought we were going to win this one, but we were pretty confident about how we prepared all week. We wanted to come out here and play hard and win this game, but unfortunately, it didn't happen."</p><p>Despite the loss, Jacobs said he experienced both highs and lows during the game.</p><p>The biggest joy for Jacobs was getting a 12-yard sack on Louisville quarterback and Sugar Bowl MVP Teddy Bridgewater during the third quarter, but the downside was suffering a bruised sternum injury shortly after. After stretching on the sidelines for a few moments, he slowly walked to the locker room in the third quarter and didn't return. </p><p>Jacobs said the injury was painful, but he was fine after the game. He said he could have returned, but it was his decision to leave the game as a sign of precaution.</p><p>"I really wanted to get back in the game, but there comes a time where you realize as a player, you know you can't go," Jacobs said. "You would just be hurting your team, so I felt like I couldn't benefit the team, and that's why I made the decision to tell them I was done."</p><p>Florida coach Wil Muschamp said Jacobs was a key component on the Gators' defensive line this season. As a backup defensive tackle/nose guard, Jacobs played in 12 of 13 games for Florida this year, missing only one (vs. Georgia on Oct. 27) with a torn hip muscle. </p><p>"Damien is a guy that's played pretty well for us, got his weight back up from an injury earlier in the year," Muschamp said. "He hurt his shoulder earlier in the game. He should be fine."</p><p>Jacobs said the loss to Louisville (11-2) will serve as motivation for his senior year next season.</p><p>"I've got to step it up and get ready as soon as possible because we don't want that same feeling next year," he said.</p><p>While the loss was tough to accept, Jacobs said he enjoyed playing in front of more than 20 family, friends and supporters who made the short drive to New Orleans.</p><p>Jacobs and his father, Verlin Jacobs, are long time New Orleans Saints season-ticket holders, so the Gibson native relished the chance to play in the Superdome. Jacobs was the only Louisiana-born player to participate in the Sugar Bowl. </p><p>"It was an experience of a lifetime," Jacobs said. "I've been coming to Saints games since I was little. It's just been a blessing to come back to the Superdome and be able to play a football game in front of a lot of family members and close friends. It was pretty fun. I enjoyed it." </p><p>Standing outside of the Superdome before Wednesday's game, Verlin Jacobs' face beamed with pride when talking about his son. </p><p>"I'm very proud of him," Verlin Jacobs said. "He's a real good kid. He has waited a long time and worked so hard for this, so we are happy to be here. It's good to have him play close to home."</p><p>Other members of Jacobs' family who made the trip to New Orleans included his mother, Clara Perkins, and his older brother, Kendric Jacobs.</p><p>Earlier this week, Perkins and several members of the family cooked gumbo and other dishes for the Florida players and coaches during their New Orleans stay. </p><p>Kendric Jacobs said his family was more than happy to be a part of the Sugar Bowl experience. </p><p>"It was good for the area," Kendric Jacobs said. "Everybody back home got to watch it on TV. It gives a lot of young people someone to look up to. This was real great for the family to see him play. It means a lot for Damien to come from a small town like Gibson and to play in the Superdome. Everybody don't get that opportunity."</p><p>Former H.L. Bourgeois football coach Joe Riley, who coached Jacobs with the Braves, said he loved watching his old player suit up in the Sugar Bowl.</p><p>"That was great to see one of my own in a big game like that," Riley said. "He deserves everything he has garnered and will garner. He's a very humble and down-to-earth kid. He's played an entire season in some of the biggest games in the country. He will gain some more weight in the form of muscle. He'll get quicker and barring an injury, he'll get an opportunity to play at the next level."</p><p>Jacobs said he appreciates all the support from local fans all season, whether it was from a phone call or message on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter. </p><p>"I just have to thank the whole area for all the support and love they showed me throughout the season, and I know it will continue into next season," he said.</p>